Nicolas Dupin1. 1. Service de Dermatologie, Hôpital Cochin, APHP.CUP, Pavillon Tarnier, 89 rue d'Assas 75006 Paris, Institut Cochin, Inserm 1016, Université de Paris, Paris, France.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review is an update of the recent findings on pathophysiology of Kaposi sarcoma, the role of HHV-8 in Kaposi sarcoma pathogenesis and to summarize the recent advances in the treatment of Kaposi sarcoma and the role of immunity to control the disease. RECENT FINDINGS: The causal agent of Kaposi sarcoma is HHV-8 and the mechanism by which HHV-8 drives the tumor development is unique. HHV-8 is not a classic oncogenic virus and the disease is an opportunistic tumor responding to immune restoration when it is possible. SUMMARY: Five epidemiologic types of Kaposi are recognized and HHV-8 is associated to all epidemiologic forms of Kaposi. HHV-8 is a virus favoring both angiogenesis and cellular proliferation, which are the two main histological features of Kaposi sarcoma. Although in many cases, treatment of Kaposi sarcoma is not necessary, specific chemotherapy, immunomodulation and immune stimulation are the tools for treating Kaposi sarcoma. Monochemotherapy has been shown to be as efficient as polychemotherapy and less toxic. Immune checkpoint inhibitors gave some promising results, which should be confirmed by prospective studies.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review is an update of the recent findings on pathophysiology of Kaposi sarcoma, the role of HHV-8 in Kaposi sarcoma pathogenesis and to summarize the recent advances in the treatment of Kaposi sarcoma and the role of immunity to control the disease. RECENT FINDINGS: The causal agent of Kaposi sarcoma is HHV-8 and the mechanism by which HHV-8 drives the tumor development is unique. HHV-8 is not a classic oncogenic virus and the disease is an opportunistic tumor responding to immune restoration when it is possible. SUMMARY: Five epidemiologic types of Kaposi are recognized and HHV-8 is associated to all epidemiologic forms of Kaposi. HHV-8 is a virus favoring both angiogenesis and cellular proliferation, which are the two main histological features of Kaposi sarcoma. Although in many cases, treatment of Kaposi sarcoma is not necessary, specific chemotherapy, immunomodulation and immune stimulation are the tools for treating Kaposi sarcoma. Monochemotherapy has been shown to be as efficient as polychemotherapy and less toxic. Immune checkpoint inhibitors gave some promising results, which should be confirmed by prospective studies.
Authors: Eliana B Souto; Raquel da Ana; Vânia Vieira; Joana F Fangueiro; João Dias-Ferreira; Amanda Cano; Aleksandra Zielińska; Amélia M Silva; Rafał Staszewski; Jacek Karczewski Journal: Neoplasia Date: 2022-05-29 Impact factor: 6.218
Authors: Matthew A Anderson; Tracey Ying; Kate Wyburn; Peter M Ferguson; Madeleine C Strach; Peter Grimison; Steve Chadban; David M Gracey Journal: BMC Urol Date: 2021-06-07 Impact factor: 2.264